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“The future of house music…you have to see them live.” - Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio 1, UK

“Imagine your favorite house DJ as a live band, making deep house music as danceable as a classic groove, and you’ll get a sense of what a Tortured Soul set is like.” - San Francisco Chronicle

Tortured Soul is 100% LIVE modern, deep, soulful, house music freed from the DJ Booth. Influenced by the classic songcraft of Prince, Heatwave and Kool & The Gang, the members of Tortured Soul are three distinctive guys with three different backgrounds, united under a groove-centered rhythm. The band’s frontman and songwriter, John-Christian Urich, can be seen simultaneously drumming and singing with effortless mastery, while bassist Jordan Scannella, and keyboardist Isamu McGregor virtuosically generate the pulsating rhythm and melodic joy.

Likened to The Roots of house music, Tortured Soul’s sound is reminiscent of neo-soul groups like Jamiroquai or Brand New Heavies, while also being deeply saturated in the contemporary freshness of house purveyors like Joey Negro, Kenny Dope, Soul Clap and Disclosure.

Tortured Soul have an international following and over the course of their 10+ year career, they have played high profile shows and festivals throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, South America. They have shared stages with such top talent as: Pharrell Williams, Thievery Corporation, Beck, Perry Farrell, MMW, Brazilian Girls, and DJs : DJ Shadow, Giles Peterson, Francois K., Louis Vega, Kaskade, DJ Spinna, Paul Oakenfold, and Miguel Migs among many others.

Born in Italy in june 21/ 1969, he left home at age 15 and followed his gypsy roots, living 6 years between the UK and South Spain and then relocating in the USA in 89 .Now based in New York (Brooklyn) ,the SPY FROM CAIRO ( real name Moreno Visini also known as Zeb) has been a producer and a musician for well over two decades. He plays the guitar,the bass, the arabic Oud, The Turkish Saz, the Albanian Cifteli, the Sitar and programs and produces all his music. He has definitely helped shaping the New York underground dance scene for many years... His ethnic/ dub music style has become very familiar to many people around the globe and his love for the "eclectic" has pushed him to work on many different music projects, alone and with many other musicians and DJs. His music can be found on dozens of compilations dating back to the late 90s ( from the Buddha Bar to Quango Records and Cafe del Mar ) . He was a co-founder with partner Sasha Crnobrnja of the famous ( and now defunkt ) ORGANIC GROOVES, a regular NYC party where musicians and DJ would blend into one "cosmic experience". He co-produced 5 albums with ORGANIC GROOVES. As Zeb he also released 3 albums with Italian Label Irma records the last of which was produced with DJ SABO ( Global Warmbeats ). He has been known for his involvement with (DJ Nickodemus own) TURNTABLES ON THE HOUDSON. Another very popular NYC/label/ party which involves live musicians and DJs . He has released many tracks both on Wonderwheel Records as well as Turntables on the Houdson and worked on many remixes ( alone and with pal Nickodemus ) which include : Billy Holiday, Astor Piazzolla, Baba Maal, Omar Faruk,Natasha Atlas, Richard Dorfmeister, Farid Al Atrache, Quantic,Novalima and Nickodemus himself. He has for the past 3 years been involved with the band Brooklyn Gypsies who's debut album "Sin fronteras " was released on Wonderwheel records in May (2015) and has finally released the new album “Nothing new under the sun” after a long 5 years from his last release “arabadub” .

Rustam Ospanoff is a founder and Creative Director of Jazzystan Music Festival since 2009. He curates special events, concerts, fundraising charity projects as well as his radio shows, in addition to being a club DJ. He produced 25 Music Festivals in 8 years in Kazakhstan. Currently staying in New York City.

Gilles Peterson (Brownswood, Worldwide, BBC RADIO 6/ UK): “It has been one of my recent highlights watching Rustam Ospanoff grow into the a significant DJ and event curator of high standing. His energy and passion have laid down important music foundations in the developing world. He is a shining light for all of us”.

Mad Mats (Local Talk, Raw Fusion, Basic Fingers, GAMM/ Sweden): “I’ve had the pleasure to play alongside Rustam on a few occasions and he is definitely one of my favorite DJs spinning the music only a few people have the balls and skills to play these days. With an impressive range Rustam can deliver underground club music from almost any corners in the world but always with a slight jazzy feel. May it be hip hop, house, electronica, soul, funk, tropical, latin, d&b, UK bass, techno, nu jazz, reggae, garage, disco or jazz you can be sure that he has selected only the very best tunes. Rustam is a top selector, fantastic DJ, professional promoter but most of all he got a real passion and devotion for real music.

Eddy Ramich (Kontrapunkt / Croatia): “Rustam is one of the best freestyle dj’s i had pleasure to play with. It would be a mistake to miss him when he is playing at a venue next to you. A true believer who not only succeeded to bring musical world to Kazakhstan but has brought Kazakhstan to the world”.

Rahaan (Chicago/USA): “Rustam is a guy you would like as a person, just a good spirit dude and you would really feel as a DJ. Book him it’s a must!!!”

KON (KON & AMIR/ USA): “A few years ago while spinning the Sunsplash festival in Turkey is where I first had the pleasure of meeting a very passionate and dedicated dj, from a land far away....his name is Rustam Ospanoff, and the man from Kazakhstan knows what good music is all about ....respect!”

Nik Weston (Juno Records/ Mukatsuku Records / UK): “First bumped into Rustam in Japan around 2005 and he has been busily building his International profile ever since. His legendary Jazzystan Festivals are well known globally for cutting edge live acts that he brings to a part of the world that few of us would have had the chance to visit otherwise. His thirst & broad knowledge for discovering new sounds is unsurpassed as his long running radio shows demonstrate. Lovely man too!”

DAIRMOUNT (Room with A View/ Germany): “I rarely met somebody in the DJ scene with such an aura. He is smart, spiritual, dedicated & immensely gifted. He is unique. He is coming from Kazakhstan, his motherland. He is on a mission. World, get ready.”

Simbad (Brownswood/Worldwide/ UK): “One of the dopest dj’s i know comes from Kazakhstan, his name is Rustam Ospanoff & trust me the world needs to discover him! Top bad ass! Music man for sure”

Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Mаssive/ Tokyo Crossover Jazz Festival/ Japan): “Rustam is the most important DJ/Producer of Central Asia. Great taste, great person. He is the hope for Jazz/Crossover music.”

Phil Asher (Restless Soul/ UK): “Rustam is a Bad Ass Dj, In any Environment he can control a Dance floor with his Amazing selection, as well as being a Real gentleman behind the Decks! Book him now!”